Multipole switch



Dec. 4, 1934.

R. D. AMSDEN MULTIPOLE SWITCH Filed Oct. 17, 1953 Inventor: Ralph D. Am sden,

Hi Attorneg.

Patented Dec. 4, 1934 MULTIPOLE SWITCH Ralph D. Amsden, Lynn, Mass., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application October 17,

7 Claims.

My invention relates to multipole switches, and

has for an object the provision of an inexpensive and reliable switch of this character.

Heretofore switches have been provided with hills and valleys for obtaining a snap action of the movable contacts. Much is yet to be desired, however, in providing multipole switches with a construction providing a snap action and for permitting the use of such switches in different types of circuits. Thus, for example, in a full wave rectifier it is desirable to adjust simultaneously the voltage across each of the rectifiers in order to control the voltage of the direct current circuit.

In carrying out my invention in one form thereof, I provide an insulating support provided with a plurality of ridges and depressions around the inner periphery thereof. A contact member is secured to each side of the support, each contact extending part way into the depression. A 20 pair of movable contact members resiliently supported from a rotor formed of insulating material are arranged to be operated from one depression to the other with a snap action so that two circuits may be simultaneously completed by the g5 resilient contact member. In the off position the resilient contact members jointly operate a movable contact to interrupt a line circuit.

For a more complete understanding of my invention reference should now be had to the accompanying drawing wherein I have shown in Fig. 1 a perspective view, partly in section, of my invention, whilst Fig. 2 illustrates diagrammatically my invention applied to a full wave rectifier circuit.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown my invention in one form as applied to a multipole switch having a circular base 11 formed of insulating material. Around the inner periphery of the base are provided a plurality of hills or ridges 12 and a plurality of valleys or depressions 13. In the depression 13a there are mounted two stationary contacts 15 and 16, the contact 16 being secured to one side 18 of the base 11 by a screw 19. The contact 16 is formed by a conductor having a contact portion 16 bent at an angle such that the screw 19 and the contact portion 16 rigidly secure the conductor 20 in a tangential direction with respect to the depression 13a. The contact 15 is similarly formed except that it ex- 50 tends in an opposite tangentialdirection so that the screw 22 lies between the contact 16 and the next adjacent contact 23, this construction being identical for the remaining contacts of the multiple switch. I By reason of the opposite tangential relationship of the body portions of the contacts 1933, Serial No. 693,929

a maximum amount of insulation is provided between them and their respective fastening screws. Two U-shaped movable contact members 25 and 26 are arranged to slidably engage an end portion 28 of a rotor 30 formed of insulating material and secured to a rotatable shaft 33. The end portion 28 is provided with channels 31 and 32 within which the legs of the U-shaped members 25 and 26 are slidably mounted. Since the movable contact members 25 and 26 are identical in construction only one contact, the contact 25 will be described in detail. The legs of the contact 25 are bent inwardly toward the channels and terminate in the outwardly extending legs 34 and 35 to which are secured the ends 36 and 37 of a resilient member 38. A screw 40 secures the resilient member 38 intermediate its ends to the rotor 30 at a point diametrically opposite to the end portion 28.

It will be understood that a suitable operating handle (not shown) is secured to the end of the shaft opposite the end 33 so that the rotor 30 can be moved either in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. Assuming that the rotor 30 is moved in the clockwise direction, it will be observed that the ends of the movable contacts 25 and 26 strike against the ridge 12b causing the contact members to be moved radially along the channels 25 and 26 provided in the extension 28. There is also a certain amount of rotation imparted to the movable contact member with respect to the end portion 28, this rotation being permitted by a relatively loose fit between each contact member and its cooperating channels. As soon as the contact members pass slightly. beyond the center of the ridge 12b the resilient springs release the energy stored therein and operate the movable contact members with a snap action into the depression 13b and in nesting relationship therewith, circuits being simultaneously completed thereby through the conductors 49 and 50.

If the clockwise rotation of the rotor 30 is continued the movable contact members 25 and 26 are moved onto a ridge 52 and finally are operated with a snap action against an insulating block forming a switch operating member 54 supported on a shaft 55. The switch member 54 is biased to the closed circuit position by a spring 56. The shaft 55 carries a movable contact 58 arranged to complete a circuit between a pair of stationary contacts 59 and 60. As soon however as the movable contact members 25 and 26 strike the switch member 54 the energy stored in the resilient members is sufficient to overcome the bias of the spring 56 to open quickly the circuit thereby deenergizing the multipole switch.

Assuming now that the movable contact members and 26 have been operated in a counterclockwise direction into the depression 13s, it will be observed that further counterclockwise movement is prevented by. a relatively high ridge 65. Consequently, it is necessary for the switch to be operated from the depressioniBe in a clockwise direction to deenergize the line circuit which is completed through the contacts 59 and 60. v

Referring to Fig. 2, I have shown the'swneh 10 applied to a full wave rectifier set, the movable contact members 25 and 26 being connected respectively to cathodes '70 and 71 or" the rectifier valves 72 and 73. The connections to eachoj the movable contact members are made by means of conductors 66 and 6'7. The conductor 66 is corinected .to a copper plate 68 through which the shaft 33 extends. A "resilientfconductor 69 secured by the screw140 toth'e rotor is biased into'engagemjent with the plate 68. Similarly the contact 26' is connected to the'plate 67a forming a terminal connection for the conductor 67 and providing a support for the' shaft The secondarywinding's '75'and 76 are connected together at their midpoints '77, "each secondary being provided plurality of taps (not shown) each of which is connected to a contact inemben' Thus, for example, the secondary win'ding['75 .'has a plurality of taps connected to the contact members'provided on one'face'of "theinsulating'support 11 whilst the secondary winding 76 has its taps connected to the contact members'provided on the opposite face of the pp t l I .f

'Iheprim'ary winding 80 of the transformer 82 is connected in series with the contacts 59'and 6O across,' a'n"alternating current supply line indicatedrby the'jsupply lines 84 and 85. Whenever the, switch is operated'so that the rotor 30 brings the moyablecontacts25j and 2 6 into1engagement witnthe switch member [5 4 the rectifier set is ldeenergized because of the opening of the circuit betweenthejcontacts 5 9 and'6 0.

Each valve 72 and 73 is provided with ananode 1 87 and18B, the anode 87 being connected in series withafuse link 89, an ammeter 90, 'a reactor 91 and .by conductor 92 to a direct current load gircnit. Similarly, the anode88 is connected in series circuit with av fuse link 94, an ammeter '95, a reactor 96 and to the conductor 92. The othe ri'side of the direct current load circuit is "completedby' conductor 97 connected to the midpoint. 7710f the secondary coils of the transformer.

Inj order to control the voltageof the direct current circuit 92, 9'7 the switch 10 is operated "so thatthe rotor 30, as viewed'in Fig. 1, rotates in a counterclockwise direction ;(the operating handle of course rotating 'inra clockwise direction). As the contact members 2 5 and 26 move jrrbm depression to depression with a snap action, the voltage across each of the rectifiers 72 and 7 3 is increased by an equal amount.

WhileI have 'showna particular embodiment 'of rny invention, it will'be understood, of course, that I do notwish to be limited thereto since many modificationsmay' be'inade, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fallwithirf the true spirit and'scope ofimy'invention.

WhatI cnim-asnew anddesire to secure by Iiett'ers Patentj of'the United' States,"is:

" 1.' A 'inultip'ole switch, c m a airport formed of insulating material, said sup-port being provided with a plurality of depressions, a plurality of contacts on each side of said support each provided with an end portion and a body portion, said end portion of each contact extending into a corresponding one of said depressions and said body portions of the contacts on one side of said base extending tangentially in one direction from said depressions, and the body portions of the contacts on the other side of said support extending tangentially in an opposite direction from said depressions, fastening means for each body portion extending through said support, said opposite tangential relationship of said body portions permitting a maximum amount of insulation between said body portions and said fastening means, contact means arranged to nest within said de ressions; resilient means for biasing said cor'itact means into engagement with said end portions of said contacts, and means for producing relative motion between said con-tact means and said contacts, saidresilient means permitting said contact members toinove o'v'er th'e ridge between a "pair of depressions "and-thereafter operating said contact members into a depression with a snap action.

2. A niu'ltipole switch, comprising a support formed of insulating material, said support being provided with a plurality of depressionsjasecond supporting member formed of insulating material and having an end portion arranged to move in 3. A multipole switch,comprising a su'pport formed of insulating material, said support being provided with aplurality of ridgesyo ne 'onmore contact members secured intermediate said ridges, a contact member, a 'movable switch member mounted between a -pair of adjacent'ridgesrfor "operating said contact member to anopen circnit positionjrneans for biasing saidf'switch'inembe'r and contact member ma closed circuitrposition,

a second supporting member formed of insulating 'material'and having an end portion-arranged to'inove in' parallel relation'with sa-id ridges, a rigid contact member 'slidably mounted o'nsaid second support, resilient members-secured'to'said rigid contact and to said second supportjfor-biasing said rigid. contact'member to a circuit closing position against saidfirst support-andmeans for producing relative motion between'said first and second supports'for operating said rigid contact member with a snap "action from' onemirciiit closing position to' the other, said 'resilientm'embeer being arranged to"operatesaid rigid contact member into engagementwithsaidswitchfineinher with asnap action w qu1k1yesiaie aet0 its open circuitposition,

4. Ain'ultipole' switch-comprising-a' cylindrical support formed of insulating material; said sliipport being provided with"apluralityoftiepi esf sions on its'inner periphery, a plnrality bf' ontact niemibers partially extending into an pres'sions 1 from one side of said supp'ort and' a' plurality of contact members extending into said depressions from the opposite side of said support, a rotatable supporting member formed of insulating material and having an end portion arranged adjacent said inner periphery, a pair of U-shaped rigid contact members slidably engaging said end portion, an insulating ridge formed integrally with said end portion for maintaining said rigid contact members in spaced relation one from the other, a resilient member having its ends secured to the corresponding ends of said rigid contact members for mounting said rigid contact members on said rotatable support and for biasing said rigid contact members into engagement with said inner periphery, and means for rotating said rotatable support in either direction, said resilient members causing said rigid contact members to be operated from one depression to the other with a snap action.

5. A multipole switch, comprising a cylindrical support formed of insulating material, said support being provided with a plurality of depressions on its inner periphery, a plurality of contacts partially extending into said depressions from one side of said support and a plurality of contacts partially extending into said depressions from the opposite side of said support, a rotatable supporting member formed of insulating material and having an end portion arranged adjacent said inner periphery, a pair of U-shaped contact members slidably engaging said end portion, and means for biasing said U-shaped contact members into said depressions one contact member engaging the contacts mounted one side of said support whilst the other contact member engages the contacts mounted on the opposite side of said support.

6. A multipole switch, comprising a cylindrical support formed of insulating material, said support being provided with a plurality of depressions on its inner periphery, a plurality of conductors secured to one face of said support and extending tangentially thereto, the ends of said conductors being formed so as to engage corre sponding depressions, a plurality of conductors on the opposite face of said support and extending in an opposite tangential direction, the ends of said conductors being formed so as to engage corresponding depressions, and fastening means for each of said conductors extending through said support, the opposite tangential relationship of said conductors permitting a maximum amount of insulation between said conductors and said fastening means, a rotatable supporting member formed of insulating material and having an end portion provided with parallel channels, a pair of U-shaped contact members slidably engaging said channels, resilient members each of which has its ends secured to one of said U-shaped contact members, means for securing the mid-portion of each resilient member to said rotatable member, said resilient members being arranged to bias said contact members into engagement with the ends of said conductors.

7. A multipole switch, comprising a cylindrical support formed of insulating material, said support being provided with a plurality of depressions on its inner periphery, a plurality of conductors secured to one face of said support and extending tangentially thereto, the ends of said conductors being formed so as to engage corresponding depressions, a plurality of conductors on the opposite face of said support and extending in an opposite tangential direction, the ends of said conductors being formed so as to engage corresponding depressions, and fastening means for each of said conductors extending through said support, the opposite tangential relationship of said conductors permitting a maximum amount of insulation between said conductors and said fastening means, a rotatable supporting member formed of insulating material and havingan end portion provided with parallel channels, a pair of U-shaped contact members slidably engaging said channels, resilient members each of which has its ends secured to one of said U-shaped contact members, means for securing the mid-portion of each resilient member to said rotatable member, said resilient members being arranged to bias said contact members into engagement with the ends of said conductors. A switch operating member mounted between a pair of said ridges normally biased to a circuit closing position, and means for operating said rotatable member and said rigid members into operative relation with said switch member so as to operate with a snap action said switch member from said closed circuit position to an open circuit position.

RALPH D. AMSDEN. 

